It's a Heat Wave

July 01, 2018

How to Beat the Heat

Hopefully, you’ve all had a chance to cool off at the pool, beach, lake, or river this summer. But this July is shaping up to be seriously hot —we're talking about dangerously, oppressively, swelteringly hot— and we’re all looking for some sweet relief to beat the heat.

Here are some of our favorite cool ideas

Keep cool when you’re outside.

Summer heat can put you at risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, so use your best judgment and stay cool this summer.

Limit your time outside, especially during the hottest times of the day (10am- 6pm). Stay indoors whenever you can, and look for shade when you can’t.

Change your schedule of outdoor exercise to take advantage of cooler times of day (early morning or late evening). Also, scale down your workout when you’re in the intense heat, lowering your level of exertion. For example: walk instead of run.

Keep a water-filled spray bottle in the refrigerator for a cool refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.

AND when you’re inside.

Close your shades, curtains, and blinds, and angle your blinds upward to better reflect the sun’s light and heat. Around 40% of your home’s heat comes in through the windows, particularly windows that face east or west.

Change your HVAC’s air filter at least every 3 months. A dirty filter makes your air conditioner work much harder to cool your house. Make sure your weather-stripping is tight and switch to energy-efficient light bulbs (which produce up to 90% less heat than incandescent bulbs).

Keep vents and interior doors open to create cross-breezes. The draft circulates the cooled air throughout your house.

Turn off those heat-producing lights, and unplug those electronics and small appliances.

Point box fans out the windows so they push hot air out and draw cool air through the house. What a great tip!

Change your ceiling fan settings so the blades circle counter-clockwise, pulling hot air up instead of pushing it down into the room.

Here’s a brilliant tip: Make a Do-It-Yourself air conditioner by placing a shallow bowl or dish full of ice in front of a fan. As the ice melts, the breeze from the fan will carry a cooling mist.

Basically, fans are your summer friends. Moving air accelerates sweat evaporation, so gets those fans going and that air circulating.

Stay cool when you’re asleep.

Same tip about cotton clothing also applies to bedding. Cotton sheets keep you cool as you sleep.

Make a cold compress to place by your feet or legs when you sleep. Fill a hot water bottle with cold water OR fill a sock with rice, tie a knot in it, and put it in the freezer for around an hour.

AND when you’re awake.

WATER! Drink it! You need to be very careful to stay hydrated in the summer heat. Staying hydrated not only keeps your blood flowing well and your body healthy, but it also allows you to sweat, which cools you off!

Few things hit the spot like an ice-cold drink on a hot day. Wet and wring out a paper towel, wrap it around your drink, put it in the freezer for around 15 minutes, and enjoy!

Avoid hot foods and keep meals light.

For a quick icy blast: Chew minty gum and then drink ice water.

Store beauty products like lotions and toners in the refrigerator for some refreshingly cool relief for your face, hands, and hot, dry feet.

As summer starts to wind down, and even as you soak up those last rays of summer sunshine, be sure to stay cool and safe and beat the heat!

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